led to 3rd, tracked leader, poised to challenge after 4 out, led 2 out, driven out, kept on
tracked leaders, outpaced by front pair after 4 out, well held from next, plugged on same pace
not fluent 1st, held up in touch in rear, tracked leaders 5th, not fluent 7th, outpaced 4 out, no chance with leaders after
pressed leader, led 3rd, driven and hard pressed before 3 out, not fluent and headed next, one pace when switched left and untidy last, kept on, held flat
chased leaders to before 5th, soon behind and struggling, lost touch 4 out
COTSWOLD WAY made all to beat an odds-on favourite at Huntington last month. The runner-up let the form down next time but Philip Hobbs’ charge may still be good enough to defy a penalty in this with Winter Spice only making slow progress, though likely to appreciate a further step up in trip. Hugos Horse was last on his debut under Rules and first run for Paul Nicholls and will need to do better.
Cotswold Way (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Made all, not fluent 6th, ridden clear between last 2, driven out, flat, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Oct beating Before Midnight (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Hugos Horse (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Led, not fluent 1st or 6th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, last of 4, 14l behind Hidden Glen (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct.
Master Card 16-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened 5f out, soon behind, 7th of 12, 25 1/2l behind Commanche Red (11-4) at Kempton 2m mdn (5) sft in Feb.
Winter Spice (IRE) 5-2fav (12-0) Mid-division, struggling when blundered 3 out, plugging on when left modest 3rd and slightly hampered last, went 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 12, 18l behind Kublai (10-3) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
The Overflow 20-1 (10-7) Soon detached, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Thistle Do Nicely (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (4) gf in Oct.
